How to: Troubleshoot a High Energy Bill
Whether it be anger, sadness or confusion, few things in life compare to the initial shock of opening up a high energy bill.
Energy bills can often fluctuate in price. This may be a result of the weather or even a longer billing period. Here at MyConnect, we’re here to help troubleshoot your high energy bill and hopefully minimise the shock for next time.
Compare the Seasons
You may be asking yourself why is your energy bill much higher than your previous bill? A typical reason for this change is varying temperatures, typically with changes in season.
A warm November compared to a toasty December changes your energy consumption. Hotter weather typically translates to higher usage of air conditioners and fans. The same goes for colder weather and the use of heaters.
Because of this, don’t focus on the price of your energy bill from last month. Instead, compare the price of your current bill with a bill from the same time last year.
Monitor the Water
Typically, the biggest energy user in most homes is hot water. Hot water can be utilised in many ways, it ranges from washing the dishes, cleaning clothes, showers etc.
Cutting back on hot water usage can help to minimising a high energy bill. Cutting shower time and washing dishes and clothes with cold water helps reduce hot water usage greatly.
Another common issue is leaks in the hot water pipe, causing hot water to be used all day. Ensure you check the pipes for any leaks, especially closer to the hot water tank. Leaks close to the hot water tank is the most common place of leakage.
Different Billing Periods
As previously stated with the weather, billing can fluctuate with time of year also. This can range from shorter months or prices changing through the energy companies.
The 1st of January and the 1st of July is typically a time where energy prices change. If this time frame is a part of your billing period it will fluctuate the prices greatly. July is also a good example of outside factors causing your bill to be high. This month is colder which, as stated above, causes higher heater and hot water use.
July is also a part of winter, which covers the shortest days of the year. This then causes more lighting demand, is it becomes darker quicker.
Check for Energy Estimations
When it comes to electricity bills, more often than not you’ll get an estimation bill. An estimation occurs when an energy meter has not been checked for some time. This estimation bill is based on previous bills but comes with a nasty surprise.
What follows is a correction bill, which could include a catch-up amount. This can cause your bill to be unusually large, so it’s important to be aware.
Check your bill to ensure it is or isn’t an estimated amount. If you don’t want a further estimated energy bill, request a meter reading. You can even take a reading yourself and phone it in if needed. If you need help getting your utilities connected sorted, please call MyConnect on 1300 854 478 or use the Get Connected form here!
